Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has sought logistical support, including election materials, from the Commonwealth to help ensure a free, fair, and peaceful national election.

The adviser made the request on Monday during a meeting with a two-member delegation from the Commonwealth Electoral Support Section (ESS) at the Secretariat.

The delegation was led by Nancy Kanyago, Legal Adviser at the Commonwealth ESS, while Executive Officer Madonna Lynch was also present.

Welcoming the team, the adviser said the current interim government is fully prepared to conduct a free and credible election.

Adequate law enforcement personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order during the polls. Around eight lakh members of different law enforcement agencies and about 80,000 members of the armed forces will be on election duty,” he said.

He said training and mock drills have been arranged for all members of law enforcement agencies, while special drives are underway to recover illegal arms and ammunition.

To ensure proper communication and coordination, “Election Control Rooms” will be set up at the Police Headquarters and in every district, he added.“CCTV cameras will be installed at polling stations where possible, while on-duty police officers will be equipped with body-worn cameras.”

Media will have full freedom to cover the election, and sufficient numbers of domestic and international observers will be allowed to monitor the process, the adviser assured. Mobile teams and striking forces will also be deployed to maintain peace and order in polling areas.

Speaking at the meeting, Commonwealth representative Nancy Kanyago said Bangladesh has maintained a “special and long-standing relationship” with the Commonwealth since becoming a member shortly after independence. She noted that the Commonwealth has an Election Observer Group ready to monitor the upcoming parliamentary polls if invited by Bangladesh.

Highlighting the country’s experience, the home adviser said Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies have long been involved in managing elections and have also served in electoral duties in UN peacekeeping missions abroad.

He said Bangladesh seeks financial rather than technical support from the Commonwealth for the election.

If the Commonwealth wishes, it may assist us by providing CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras, and other election-related equipment,” he added.

In response, the Commonwealth representatives said they could support training law enforcement personnel on human rights issues.

When asked about new recruitments ahead of the polls, the adviser said 10,264 police officers, 2,145 Ansar and VDP members, 5,513 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members, and 634 Coast Guard personnel have been newly appointed for election duties.

Regarding the demand for a special tribunal to ensure justice for the victims of the July killings, the adviser said the Law Ministry may take necessary steps if deemed necessary. “However, two International Crimes Tribunals are already active to ensure justice for the July killings,” he added.

The adviser expressed optimism that voters will turn out spontaneously and fearlessly to exercise their franchise in the upcoming national election.